Rotherham United boss Paul Warne keen for players to avoid self-doubt

After two long away trips, the lowly Millers returned to the AESSEAL New York Stadium on Tuesday, only to lose out 1-0 to Nottingham Forest – their fourth successive league defeat, the first time that has happened this term with Warne admitting mental recovery is now key.

He said: “They need to have a nice day off with the family and not think about football and then come back in buzzing about life.

“To lose football games hurts and you have to give everything for us. Recovery is key and psychological recovery is key because now we have had a few defeats on the spin, you start doubting yourself and might start doubting me and the coaching staff, although I hope that is not the case.

“They are human beings. Winning is a habit and losing is and we need to find a way to bounce back on Saturday and give them a confidence boost.”

Warne took the blame for the defeat to Forest, a fourth in a row by a single-goal margin, for not freshening up his side.

Meanwhile, his selection issues in defence have increased for Saturday, with the suspended Michael Ikiehwe and captain Richard Wood (groin) both missing. Switching to a back four is one option.

“I cannot be critical of the players, they are absolutely dead on their feet and I felt it at half-time,” added Warne. “It is really difficult. I would love to say I have all the answers, but I haven’t. There are times when you think the team is playing really well, could they go for another game.

“If I had my life again now, I’d have probably made more changes. But the ‘joy’ of football management is you don’t know.”

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